– Special education advocacy
– Legislative support at the local and state levels
– Specialized training to parents first responders and school districts
– One-on-one assistance for families and individuals in real time
– Increasing public awareness of autism
– Referral network of hundreds of services and programs across the state of Minnesota

Social Profiles

Wareysi Marian Ahmed - Austim

Mission

The Somali Parents Autism Network (SPAN) intends to unite and empower Somali families of children with Autism in Minnesota, via outreach, education, and collaboration, for the purpose of connecting them with resources and services. The end goal is to improve management of Autism by families, through early intervention, caregiver engagement, and a shift from a cultural fear of Autism, to a culture of understanding with acceptance.

Vision

SPAN “Somali Parents Autism Network” works to raise awareness of possibilities for all children, and birth a cultural attitude shift, to create a community where individuals with Autism are included, accepted and valued.

Background

The Somali Parents Autism Network targets to unite and empower Somali families of children with autism in Minnesota via outreach, education, and collaboration, for the purpose of connecting them with resources and services, with the end goal of early intervention, and caregiver engagement.